Throughout the following weeks, we wil be reading Macbeth by William Shakespeare. You are expected to keep up with the play yourselves by answering these questions for homework. They will be checked every lesson and some will be done as a class and will provoke class discussions.
Act One, Scenes 1-3
Why do you think Shakespeare chose to introduce the play with the witches? What effect does this have?
Explain what you think is meant by the following: "Fair is foul, foul is fair." What language technique is used here? What could this possible be foreshadowing?
What does the description of Macbeth tell us? What impression are you given?
What do Duncan's comments suggest about his relationship with the Thane of Cawdor?
Examining the introduction to the play, what hints are given to suggest that Macbeth is not in face as brave, noble and loyal as he appears?
How necessary do you think the witches are to the plot? Were they not there, would the plot play out the same way? Why/why not?
Anaysing Banquo's reaction to the witches' prophesy regarding Macbeth, what does he suggest about Macbeth's reaction?
What is significant of his choice of the words 'fear' and 'fair' in this context?
What does his challenge to the witches suggest about his character?
Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about his reaction to the prophecies? What does this warning suggest about Banquo's understanding of Macbeth's character and ambitions?
Act One, Scenes 1-3